UNION CITY PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
Play, Connect, Belong
From neighborhood parks to citywide programs, imagine the possibilities.
Union City is launching an update to its Parks and Recreation Master Plan—the first in 25 years—to reflect the community’s changing needs and plan thoughtfully for the future. As the city continues to grow and evolve, this plan will guide park and recreation improvements over the next 15 years. Our focus will be on reimagining existing spaces, improving access, and ensuring parks remain safe, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.
Union City is continuing the journey to shape the future of its parks and recreation system, and your voice remains essential. In the first round of outreach, you shared priorities like better maintenance, improved safety, inclusive design, and stronger community connections. Now, in this second round, we want to dig deeper into these ideas to guide future improvements. Your feedback will help Union City care for existing parks, plan new opportunities, and create spaces where everyone can play, connect, and belong. Share your voice and be part of what’s next!
Round 2 Community Outreach - Digging Deeper
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Join us at one of three upcoming community meetings to help shape Union City’s new Parks & Recreation Master Plan. We’ll explore key themes from Round 1, including maintenance, inclusivity, nature, sports, aquatics, and discuss opportunities for growth.
🗓️ In-Person Workshops
March 5, 2026 — Mark Green Sports Center, 6:30 p.m.
March 14, 2026 — Kennedy Youth Center, 10 a.m.💻 Virtual Workshop
March 26, 2026 — online via Zoom, 6:30 p.m. Register in advance. -
Stop by our Parks & Recreation Master Plan booth an upcoming event to share your ideas and help refine priorities for the future.
Super Heroes Run at City Hall Parking Lot — March 8, 2026, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
CultureFest at Kennedy Park — March 21, 2026, 12 to 4 p.m.
Spring Egg Hunt at Kennedy Park — March 28, 2026, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.We’ll have quick activities and opportunities for you to weigh in on topics like park improvements, shade and nature, aquatics, sports and fitness, community events, and more.
Located in southern Alameda County, Union City covers 19 square miles between Hayward, Fremont, the East Bay hills, and the San Francisco Bay. Home to about 70,000 residents, it offers a diverse, family-friendly atmosphere with easy access to regional transit, job centers, and cultural destinations.
The City’s Community and Recreation Services Department manages more than 30 parks, including neighborhood and community parks, playgrounds, sports fields, tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, picnic areas, and a dog park, as well as walking paths and green spaces. Indoor facilities include the Holly Community Center, Ruggieri Senior Center, Kennedy Youth Center, and the Mark Green Sports Center. The City offers a wide variety of programs and activities for all ages, from fitness classes and youth sports to cultural events and senior programs, that make Union City’s recreation sites lively, well-loved gathering places.
GET INVOLVED AND BE A PART OF THE PROCESS!
Your input is essential to shaping a parks and recreation system that truly reflects the needs, values, and priorities of the Union City community. As part of the Master Plan process, the City will host a series of in-person and virtual activities to gather ideas, hear feedback, and keep residents informed every step of the way. Your voice will help identify what’s working, what could be improved, and how to plan for a more connected, inclusive, and vibrant future.
February 2026: Community Outreach Update
What We Heard, What’s Coming Next
During the first round of community outreach in September and October 2025, nearly 900 community members shared their ideas through surveys, events, meetings, and focus groups. Participants reflected Union City’s diversity—youth, seniors, families, long-time residents, community organizations, and local leaders—with most respondents living in Union City and using parks frequently.
Across all outreach efforts, a clear and consistent message emerged: take care of what we have, make it work better for everyone, and strengthen community connection.
Residents value parks and recreation as essential to daily life and community identity. They emphasized the need to invest in repairing and modernizing existing parks and facilities rather than focus on expansion. Top priorities included better maintenance, safety, lighting, shade, accessibility, and comfort, along with improvements to playgrounds, sports areas/facilities, recreation programs, and aquatics.
Outreach feedback also stressed the importance of inclusive, flexible spaces and programming that serve all ages and abilities, reflect Union City’s diversity, and continue to bring people together through events and activities.
Overall, the community’s vision for the future can be summed up in three words: repair, renew, and connect—ensuring Union City’s parks and recreation system remains welcoming, well-cared for, and at the heart of community life for years to come.
A second round of community engagement is now in progress with activities to gather more specific input and feedback from residents on Union City’s parks and recreation services and programs. Residents are invited to complete a survey and attend one of several community meetings in March 2026. Learn more.
